News Businessman ordered to pay back customer
A Spaldington businessman who is being sought in connection with the alleged ripping-off of customers for his windows and conservatory companies has again failed to materialise before the courts.
A warrant for the arrest of Mike Haslam was issued by the Leeds County Court in May after he failed to turn up for an insolvency public hearing regarding the firm Calcon Uk Ltd, of which he is a director.
However, despite several sitings of the evasive Mr Haslam, including at his home at Yokegate Farm and a family run cafe in Boothferry Road, Goole, the authorities appear as yet unable to pin him down.
On Tuesday (July 17) Mr Haslam was again due in court, this time before the York County Court, in connection with a second business Windows and Conservatories Ltd, of which he is also a director.
At that hearing, before the Small Claims Court, Mr Haslam again failed to show, but this time a ruling was made against his company in the sum of £3,716.
The successful claimant was Mr Martin Wakefield, of Selby, who last year entered into a contract with the company and Mr Haslam for the erection of a conservatory at his home.
He told the court that he had perhaps been rather "naive" to have put money up-front and trusted Mr Haslam. "It was a dangerous thing to do", he said.
Mr Wakefield had first contacted the company through the local telephone directory, their advertisment purporting that they were members of all the relevant trade associations.
Mr Wakefield told the court that he had paid over a deposit of £513 and then a further £2,052 to Mr Haslam and in return had got a base for the conservatory which was not fit for purpose in that it was "grotty" and breaking up.
Since then, despite numerous attempts to contact Mr Haslam and his company, no further work had been done and he is now faced with an estimated £750 bill to put his garden back to what it was like before.
The court heard that from the start it was written into the contract that Windows and Conservatory Ltd would obtain planning permission for the conservatory. However, despite the work starting, this did not materialize and Mr Wakefield had to obtain it for himself at a further cost of £281.
He told the court that one of the contractors sent along by the company claimed that he would not carry out any of the work because he himself was allegedly owed monies by Mr Haslam.
Following Tuesday's ruling that his company was in breach of contract Mr Haslam has 14-days to pay over the £3,716, which includes court costs. If the money is not received within that time Mr Wakefield will have to employ the services of court bailiffs to retrieve it, or goods to the value of the order and their own costs.
Following the hearing, Mr Wakefield said: "I am happy that the finding went in my favour but, because of my past experiences with Mr Haslam, I am not holding out much hope that the money will be given over that easily."
Published on 19th July 2007 in News.
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